Enathe

I have some knocking coming from the front end when going over speed bumps or bumpy roads at slow speed. I have tried to replicate the noise by pushing on the front corners vigorously, but have been unable to make it happen. Any suggestions on what this might be, or how much it will cost to fix?

1998 Honda Accord LX
101,000 Miles

NAiL05

Sway bar bushing might be goin out.

Enathe

Is that an expensive fix? Also, is this a problem that if not fixed soon will lead to big bad nasty problems in the future? It is getting up there in the miles and I did not want to put a whole lot into it.

fw190bvi

ball joint perhaps?

if its just a bushing, you are talking about a $10 piece of rubber tha helps one of your suspension pieces in place....ball joint....well thats gonna cost a little bit of money

Carty

haha kinda funny, I got on Honda-tech because I have this EXACT same problem....for starters my accord is a 94 EX with a few mods, but I didn't have this knocking problem until I lowered my car... to be specific I lowered it using H&R springs i think it was 1.7inches, and then Koni yellow racing shocks.... so I know my suspension is stiff enough that it shouldn't be making this noise...anyways I finally got sick of it and during a routine maintenence check up I told the mechanic what was going on and asked him to look at it and let me know what he thinks... He came back and said that my car was so low the "power control arms" (cant remember if thats exactly what he said) was hitting the inside of my fenders... He also said the only way to fix it was to raise my car... well there is no way my car is being raised, There must be plenty of accords out there just as low as mine, my tires don't scrape at all so the only problem Im having is the clunking sound which is driving me crazy... if anyone on here has had that problem and fixed it let me know, Im thinking of glueing a piece of rubber up under neath so when it hits it wont make the noise but I would rather fix it the right way, thanks (as you can see in this picture the car really isnt that low

Intense3.2

My car was just as low as yours with no problems "knocking" untill I installed a camber kit. I have yet to find a perfect set-up for my accord.

carolinaACCORD

lower ball joint. after 3 years on neuspeed springs and koni struts, had to change mine.

they are not that expensive, but are quite a pain to replace.

check them and see if they are worn/torn/missing chunk.

Most likely that's your problem, was mine!

zumiez007

are you sure it's not as simple as the Upper Control Arm hitting the fender?

Enathe

Well my problem was fixed. I took it to 3 different mechanics and these were the reports I got.....

- Replace ALL 4 struts w/ bearing plates - $796
- Replace Front 2 struts and alignment -$399
- Replace Sway Bar Inlets -$100

It was the sway bar inlets. They were old and worn. When going over rough terrain or speeds bumps it would create that knocking/clunking sound.

All fixed!

Thanks for all the help all!

...and no I didn't replace ANY of the struts or bearing plates.....bloody sticker shock jockeys I tell ya....

briq4

just wondering what sway bar inlets are? My mom has a 98 EX V-6 and there is a "wobbling" type of knocking sound going over bumps. Can't seem to figure it out and I've tried wiggling the sway bar and it doesn't budge...

zumiez007

Carty, to fix this jack your car up, remove the wheel. You should be able to see the area where the UCA (upper control arm) is hitting the fender, because it will be shinny from all the metal/metal contact. Take your hammer and hit that area for a good while. Also, take your dremel and sand down the part of the UCA that would be hitting the fender. It's kinda hard to explain the exact location but you should be able to figure it out.

PS. You didn't take out the bump stops did you?

HONCORD

Whoa!!! Lots of replys on this one. Here is my input, speaking from experience. ( I work in the auto shop)
Lower ball joints go bad on those all the time. Try to jack up your car so the wheels hang. SECURE IT!!! Grab the bottom of the tire and push up on it. If you feel your wheel go up just a bit,(you'll feel the play too) thats it!!!

Second, check your stab links. Same thing. Jack your car up. Secure it. Remove your wheel. Try to move the links, side2side, upNdown. Use a pry bar if you want. There should be no play or movement in them.

Third, tie rods. Same as stab links. Move them upNdown when wheel off.(Do this first)---> If wheel is on the car (in the air) Grab the front of the wheel and move it inNout. If you feel some play. Tie Rod is worn out!!! 99% its the outer tie rod.

Note: Bet you its the ball joints though.

Carty

my mechanic said it was the UCA so just dremel it? cool ive been wondering for a while, what does the UCA do anyways? im guessing a stabalizer?

zumiez007

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zumiez007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">are you sure it's not as simple as the Upper Control Arm hitting the fender?</TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zumiez007 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">to fix this jack your car up, remove the wheel. You should be able to see the area where the UCA (upper control arm) is hitting the fender, because it will be shinny from all the metal/metal contact. Take your hammer and hit that area for a good while. Also, take your dremel and sand down the part of the UCA that would be hitting the fender. It's kinda hard to explain the exact location but you should be able to figure it out.

PS. You didn't take out the bump stops did you?</TD></TR></TABLE>

accrd18

my 98 accord 4dr does the same thing in the rear as well so would that mean its had the same problem because it looks like theres plenty of clearance.

zumiez007

it's possilbe. the easiest way to check is to simply pull off the wheel and look up in the wheel for signs of rubbing. If there doesn't appear to be any rubbing then it may be the lower ball joints.

accrd18

the only thing i dont understant is that how can they be nice n fine before i lower the car and once its lowered then it makes that sound. no way they can go bad as soon as its lowered is there?